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genki · 02-08-2021, 04:52

Hey,

Our crappy Mercury airdeck 270 just literally fell apart, the transom failed and dumped our brand new Yamaha 6HP in the water.... Never ever buy a Mercury dinghy again..

We need a dinghy asap, really wanted a 7-8ft achilles hyphalon air floor but they seem to be unobtainable right now.. defender said "next year"

I'm looking for a push in the right direction from you guys....

Currently our options appear to be only PVC and we have boiled it down to the Highfield or Zodiac line...

Yes we are planning to cruise in Florida and thus we really want a hyphalon Achilles..

Do you have any recommendations? we have a 6HP yammy and a 30ft sailboat...

Currenyly, it's this against the world.... what do you guys think ?
Highfield AM250, Air Floor, 8' 2" Gray PVC - 2021
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp...artId=17312635
Looking to buy this week for our cruise down south, NYC to Oriental.

Thanks!

wholybee · 02-08-2021, 05:20

I recently bought an Achilles dinghy from https://www.boatspecialists.com/ I had to order it, and it took a few weeks to come in stock, but it wasn't as long a wait as next year. They had many in stock, just not the model I wanted, so it might be worth a phone call.

They are a bit more than Defender, but shipping was cheaper, and they didn't charge me sales tax, so it worked out about the same.

Wherever you buy it, I recommend getting what you want, not what you can get right now. A dinghy is expensive and a good one lasts a long time. You don't want to be frustrated with the wrong one for 10 years.

LittleWing77 · 02-08-2021, 05:38

Brand new hypalon dinghy for sale:

See Ad #8
https://towndock.net/cgi-bin/classad....cgi?cat=Boats

Not sure where you are (you need to update your profile and add your location) but this ad appears in a local paper out of Oriental, North Carolina.

**skipmac** · 02-08-2021, 05:38

Boattrader.com lists several new and used Achilles for sale in Florida.

genki · 02-08-2021, 05:59

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the responses and info, we are currently in Long Island, New York. About to embark on our first ICW journey, down to Oriental.

We sail a 30ft Sabre.

Looking for a dinghy for the journey.

LittleWing77 · 02-08-2021, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by genki

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the responses and info, we are currently in Long Island, New York. About to embark on our first ICW journey, down to Oriental.

We sail a 30ft Sabre.

Looking for a dinghy for the journey.

That's super! Lovely boat.

What you need to do is update your user profile to reflect "Location: Long Island, New York" and "Boat: Sabre 30".

That way, once you're no longer on this thread, the info will appear each time you post and thus ellicit relevant info for you.

Also, don't know why you don't just buy John O'Brien's new Hypalon dinghy and have it shipped to you. It certainly ticks all of your boxes and he just posted it this weekend.

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

genki · 02-08-2021, 06:33

Thanks guys, I edited my details and added my location.

John O'Brien's new Hypalon dinghy is a little larger than we can handle. We kinda want something that we can stow below and/or on the foredeck.

Thanks!

LittleWing77 · 02-08-2021, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by genki

John O'Brien's new Hypalon dinghy is a little larger than we can handle. We kinda want something that we can stow below and/or on the foredeck.

Fair enough.

How 'bout this one? $1,000 and in White Plains, so perhaps worth the drive...

Achilles Model LSI 104
https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/b...358217787.html

Good luck with your search - and your cruising plans!

LW77

genki · 02-08-2021, 10:17

Guys, you rock, I contacted boat specialists and they have the exact Achilles model in stock.

Thanks for the help!

sailingchiro · 02-08-2021, 10:35

+1 for boat specialists. Purchased the Lex 88 and really happy with purchase. Wife gave me a sailrite sewing machine. I made chaps for it. The hypalon doesn't like any friction (rubbing) on it. Recommend getting some chaps for it. Good Luck

kryg · 02-08-2021, 17:42

I had 3 inflatables that fell apart, now I bought a 2nd hand Ocean Craft build in Queensland Australia. I have been using it for a year I find it is very stable I can stand on the gunnel and it will never go soft, I never have to inflate it I gave my Zodiac glue away to a friend as I will never need it again.! It's worth the effort to have one less worry in a solid tender this will last me a number of life times. Good luck with your next choice,

Quote:

Originally Posted by genki

Hey,

Our crappy Mercury airdeck 270 just literally fell apart, the transom failed and dumped our brand new Yamaha 6HP in the water.... Never ever buy a Mercury dinghy again..

We need a dinghy asap, really wanted a 7-8ft achilles hyphalon air floor but they seem to be unobtainable right now.. defender said "next year"

I'm looking for a push in the right direction from you guys....

Currently our options appear to be only PVC and we have boiled it down to the Highfield or Zodiac line...

Yes we are planning to cruise in Florida and thus we really want a hyphalon Achilles..

Do you have any recommendations? we have a 6HP yammy and a 30ft sailboat...

Currenyly, it's this against the world.... what do you guys think ?
Highfield AM250, Air Floor, 8' 2" Gray PVC - 2021
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp...artId=17312635
Looking to buy this week for our cruise down south, NYC to Oriental.

Thanks!